B02626:208
The plain mans path-way to heaven
The plain mans path-way to heaven wherein every man may clearly see whether he shall be saved or damned. / Set forth dialogue-wise for the better understanding of the simple, by Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex.
London: printed by Ja. Young for G. Lathum, 1643
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Theol. True indeed: for the finest cloth is soonest stained. And as worms engender sooner in soft & tender wood, then in that which is more hard and knotty; and as moths do breed sooner in fine wool then in course flocks: even so pride and vain glory do sooner assault an excellent and rare man in all kind of knowledge and virtue, then another of meaner gifts: and therefore pride is said to spring out of the ashes of all virtues. For men will be proud, because they are wise, learned, godly, patient, humble, &c. Pride therefore may very fitly be compared to the crabstock spines, which grow out of the root of the very best Apple-tree. Therefore to say the truth, this is one of the last engines and weapons which the Devil useth for the overthrowing of Gods own children, even to blow them up with pride, as it were with gun-powder. For, as we see it come to pass in the siege of strong holds, when no battery or force of shot will prevail, the last remedy and policy is to undermine it, and blow it up with trains ⟨p. 38⟩of gun-powder; so when Satan can no way prevail against some excellent servants of God, his last device is to blow them up with pride, as it were with gun-powder.
Theol. True indeed: for the finest cloth is soonest stained. And as worms ingender sooner in soft & tender wood, then in that which is more hard and knotty; and as moths do breed sooner in fine wooll then in course flocks: even so pride and vain glory do sooner assault an excellent and rare man in all kind of knowledge and vertue, then another of meaner gifts: and therefore pride is said to spring out of the ashes of all vertues. For men will be proud, because they are wise, learned, godly, patient, humble, &c. Pride therefore may very fitly bee compared to the crabstock spines, which grow out of the root of the very best Apple-tree. Therefore to say the truth, this is one of the last engines and weapons which the Divell useth for the overthrowing of Gods own children, even to blow them up with pride, as it were with gun-powder. For, as we see it come to passe in the siege of strong holds, when no battery or force of shot will prevaile, the last remedy and policy is to undermine it, and blow it up with traines ⟨p. 38⟩of gun-powder; so when Sathan can no way prevail against some excellent servants of God, his last device is to blow them up with pride, as it were with gun-powder.